Lahat ng Kabanata ng Mr. Frost’s Reluctant Prisoner Bride: Kabanata 191 - Kabanata 200

On the way back, Julian smoked half a pack of cigarettes, filling the car with a white haze. He leaned back, feeling an invisible hand squeeze and claw at his heart and lungs. It made him ache with an unbearable itch, filled with longing yet forced to restrain himself.This was an agony.He had lived this way for the past three years.But the moment he learned from Adrian that Vanessa was getting married, all his restraint became meaningless."Jerry." Julian had smoked and drunk too much; his voice was barely audible. Vanessa liked his scent, she liked his voice. He cleared his throat, not wanting to ruin any part of himself she had loved. "Are you going on a business trip soon?""...Yes."Jerry glanced back out of the corner of his eye. "Is something wrong?"A long silence stretched before Julian shook his head. "Nothing."He had promised Vanessa, and he shouldn't break his word.That night, Vanessa leaned into his embr

With just one look, Jerry could tell that Perry had ill intentions.It wasn't overt, of course, but hidden within his smiles and words. In his every utterance, he deliberately brought up Vanessa, and though his words were clearly addressed to President Frost, their meaning was highly suggestive. Without careful discernment, one wouldn't truly grasp his intention."Back when I went abroad, I truly thought President Frost would end up with Vanessa."Those words were like a needle, piercing Julian's heart. He smiled, his expression unreadable. "Perry, isn't it a bit inappropriate to discuss personal matters in this setting? After all these years, you still haven't learned."He publicly criticized Perry, but Perry wasn't angered; instead, he simply smiled. "I was just showing some concern. But then again, Vanessa is getting married soon. I met her a while ago."There were others in the private room, but they were engrossed in their own conversations. Few noticed the subtle undercurrents s

The flight landed. Vanessa received a message from Cameron; with the time difference, it was already the next morning when she saw it. She sent a reply.It was late afternoon back home.Cameron had just left the hospital with Lily, handing her off to the nanny. This time, Harvey was also back. He sat in the car, taking Lily onto his lap. "Lily, do you like coming back to play?""No,"Lily shook her head. "No Miss Brooks, I don't like it."When Vanessa had been her violin teacher, Lily loved to cling to her. Now that Vanessa was Cameron's fiancée, Lily was even happier. Every day, she pestered Cameron, urging Vanessa to move in with them sooner.Cameron got into the car, his eyes gleaming with undisguised indulgence. "You'll see Miss Brooks when we get back. Lily, you need to be healthy to keep playing with Miss Brooks, right?""Yes!" Lily chirped.Cameron chuckled softly, but as his gaze met Harvey's, his smile froze for

Many things couldn't be explained clearly over the phone. Harvey hadn't originally intended to answer Vanessa's call, but after a considerable internal debate, he decided she deserved a heads-up."You met Julian?" Vanessa cut straight to the chase, no preamble. "What did he tell Cameron?"Harvey could never quite read Vanessa. "Vanessa, are you really so concerned about what he told Cameron? I thought you didn't care about Cameron?""What I care about is another person in this world knowing my humiliating past. What does that have to do with whether I care about Cameron?" Vanessa loathed those memories being dredged up, like she was stripped bare once more, revealing the scars on her back, exposed to others' mockery and suspicion.She had no feelings for Cameron, but after so much contact and interaction, it wasn't entirely devoid of emotion. To have her past exposed like that was a profound humiliation."Besides, weren't you the one who pushed me

What happened in M was unknown to Vanessa.She couldn't guess if Julian would remain indifferent or try to sabotage things.Several days passed in anxious uncertainty before Adrian's call came through. It had been too long since he'd heard Vanessa's voice. He took a deep breath, trying his best to control his emotions. "Perry didn't lie to me. This really is your number."It was Perry.So many people, those who had been kind to her, those who had promised to marry her, had all ultimately betrayed her. Even Perry."It's my number. What do you want?"After her words, Vanessa calmly and composedly addressed him again, "Mr. Voss.""Vanessa, don't call me that." Adrian's tone was laced with sorrow. "I heard you're getting married. I met the man; he's not right for you. Come back. The family will find you a better match."*Family*, *marriage prospects* – these words, applied to Vanessa, had become absurdities. Uttered by Adrian